Building occupant tracker

ABSTRACT

A building occupant tracker for tracking the location of an occupant in a building by tracking a smart device associated with the occupant at a location server.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/277,297 entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD TO CREATE AND BLEND PROXY DATA FOR MOBILE OBJECTS HAVING NO TRANSMITTING DEVICES,” filed on Jan. 11, 2016, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to building automation system and more particularly to the location of building occupants.

BACKGROUND

Most modern buildings are built with emergency, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems that have many sensors, fans, values, and actuators. Tracking or locating occupants of a building is often desirable to verify that building occupants do not stray into unsafe or unauthorized areas. Further, tracking of occupants is also desirable to aid in locating building occupants that may need rescuing during emergencies, such as fire, security events, or natural disasters.

Current known approaches for locating occupants in a building have involved keycards, badges and RF identification tag technology to keep track of the location of occupants. The use of keycards, badges, and RF identification (RFID) tags typically require readers to be installed by doors to operate the locking mechanism to allow or restrict access. If an occupant is not authorized to enter an area of a building then their identification (keycard, badge, or RFID tags) will not unlock the door. But such approaches typically create secure zones in a building, but do not aid in detecting the actual location of an individual unless all doors are secure with identification readers.

During emergencies, First Responders have little up-to-date and accurate information regarding occupants who may have left a building and occupants who remain in the building and need assistance. Surveillance cameras surviving the cause of the emergency may provide limited information to aid in determining an occupant's location, provided the occupant is within the camera's field of view.

Presently, the National Highway Transportation Safety Agency has begun rulemaking for legislation requiring new vehicles to be equipped with an On-Board Unit (OBU) collision avoidance system. The OBU will privately and securely: Transmit vehicle location, heading and speed to nearby vehicles at least 10 times per second; receive location heading, elevation and speed from nearby OBUs; receive lane locations from a Roadside Unit (RSU); Receive traffic signal countdown from RSU; and receive associated signal phase to lane from RSU to know which signal to obey. The National Highway Transportation Safety Agency has begun rulemaking for legislation requiring new vehicles to be equipped with an On-Board Unit (OBU) that privately and securely: a) transmits vehicle location, heading, elevation and speed to nearby vehicles ten times per second, b) receives location heading, elevation and speed from nearby vehicles, c) receives lane locations from a Roadside Unit (RSU), d) receives traffic signal countdown from the RSU, and e). receives associated signal phase to lane from the RSU to know which signal to obey.

Further the National Highway Transportation Safety Agency is specifying three types of OBUs that may be developed to meet the potential legislation. A class 1 OBU may be included as an integral part of a new vehicle, a class 2 OBU may be an aftermarket device retrofitted into an existing vehicle, and a class 3 device may be implemented as an application in a smart device. Smart devices are often carried by individuals throughout the day.

In view of the foregoing, there is an ongoing need for systems, apparatuses and methods for timely and accurately identifying occupants of a building using smart device.

SUMMARY

In view of the above, an approach for locating occupants in a building is described. An occupant of a building carries a portable device, such as a smart device, i.e. tablet or cellular telephone commonly referred to as a smartphone. An application may be executed by the portable device that communicates using a predefined protocol with a server that tracks the location of the portable device and hence the carrier of that device.

The smart device executes an on-board unit (OBU) application that periodically acquires and transmits location data to a remote location node or location server. The location data is contained in location messages and may also contain additional location data. A remote location node may also receive identification information and mimic a location message that is sent to a location server in response to the identification information enabling authentication and security systems to be incorporated into the location server.

Other devices, apparatus, systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood by referring to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a smart device that is able to provide its location to a location server in order to identify the location of an occupant in a building in accordance with an example implementation of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a graphical illustration of the smart device of FIG. 1 in accordance with an example implementation of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a graphical illustration of the location server of FIG. 1 in accordance with an example implementation of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a graphical illustration of a remote location node (“RLN”) of FIG. 1 in accordance with an example implementation.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of messages between the smart device and the location server via the RLN of FIG. 1 in accordance with an example implementation.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of messages between smart device via an OBU application and the location server in accordance with an example implementation of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a flow diagram of an approach for the smart device of FIG. 1 to send location messages to a location server in order to track the location of the smart device in accordance with an example implementation of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To facilitate an understanding of embodiments, principles, and features of the present invention, they are explained hereinafter with reference to implementation in illustrative embodiments. In particular, they are described in the context of a connected vehicle system for traffic control and monitoring for generating warnings. Embodiments of the present invention, however, are not limited to use in the described devices or methods.

The components and materials described hereinafter as making up the various embodiments are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable components and materials that would perform the same or a similar function as the materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of embodiments of the present invention.

An approach is described for tracking the location of an occupant in a building by tracking a smart device associated with the occupant via an application. The application is preferably a class 3 OBU implemented as an application in a smart device that is also able to identify the location of occupants in a building or campus. By having a single application on a smart device, advantages in memory, power, and processor efficiencies are achieved (two separate applications both requiring memory and processing to send multiple location messages in a minute or different period).

Turning to FIG. 1, an illustration 100 of a smart device 102 in a building 103 that is able to provide its location to a location server 112 via a network (internet/internet 108, wireless network 116) in order to identify the location of an occupant in possession of the smart device 102 in accordance with an example implementation of the invention is depicted. The smart device 102 may be a smart phone, tablet, portable computer, or similar device that is able to receive or otherwise generate location data and send the location data a server 112 when executing an OBU application. The location data, includes the location of the smart device and in other implementations may also include identification data or unique data associated or assigned to user or smart device, direction heading data, elevation data, and speed data. In the current implementations, the location data is longitude and latitude format, but in other implementations the location data may be grid coordinates within the building, room identifiers, direction and distance, etc. . . . Also in other implementations, the smart device 102 may be implemented as a microcontroller embedded in a badge or other wearable device including bracelets or jewelry. In yet other implementations, the smart device 102 may be integrated into clothing, such as a uniform or protective clothing.

The smart device, such as smart device 102, may communicate wirelessly with a remote location node (RLN) 106 a via wireless communication 104 such as Wi-Fi. The RLNs 106 a-f may be connected 108 a-108 f with the location server 112 via an intranet or internet 110. The network connections 108 a-f are shown as wired connections but a combination intranet/internet/externet and wireless connections may make up the connection in practice. In other implementations a wireless network connection 116 may be employed to enable communication between the location server 112 and smart device 114. Example of wireless networks include a cellular network, radio packet network, wireless internet (802.3b,g, and n) or similar wireless network approaches.

In yet another implementations, a RLN 118 may include additional hardware that receives a beacon or other smart device 120 transmitted identification information (either visually or via wireless signals) that identifies the smart device. The RLN 118 then mimics a message as if received from the smart device with an OBU with location data associated with RLN 118 and sends that information over the wired connection 108d to the location server 112 via intranet/internet 110. In other implementations, the RLN 118 may communication wirelessly with the network and location server 112.

In FIG. 2, a graphical illustration 200 of the smart device 102 of FIG. 1 in accordance with an example implementation of the invention is depicted. The smart device 102 may have a controller or processor 202 coupled to a memory 206, transceiver 208, power module 210, display 212, input device (touchscreen over display 212) 214, location determination unit (i.e. GPS receiver) 216, and timer 224 by data/address bus 204. The memory 206 may be partitioned or divided between application memory 218 having an OBU application 220 and records or data memory 222. The controller/processor 202 may be a microprocessor with one or more cores, ARM processor with one or more cores, RISC processor, microcontroller, digital circuits implementing a statement machine, analog circuits implementing a state machine, or a combination of any of the above. The transceiver 208 may be a transmitter and receiver that is able to establish a network connection and communicate location data. The transceiver in the current implementation may also be a dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) device that transmit in the 5.9 GHz band with bandwidth of 75 MHz and approximate range of 1000 meters. In other implementations, the transceiver may be implemented as a separate transmitter and receiver or one or more additional transmitters, receivers, or transceivers. In yet other implementations, the transceiver 208 may only be a transmitter providing location data. The location data is provided by the GPS receiver 216 in the current example implementation. In other implementations, location data may be derived from other signals (including Bluetooth), beacons, or instruments (sensors for detection and distance, including determinations of steps and directions.

In FIG. 3, a graphical illustration 300 of the location server 112 of FIG. 1 in accordance with an example implementation of the invention is depicted. The location server 112 may have a controller or processor 302 coupled to a memory 304, transceiver 308 coupled to a network interface 310, power module 312, display 314, input device 316 (i.e. keyboard, mouse, etc. . . . ), and data store 318 (hard disk storage) storing records 324 coupled together by data/address bus 322. The memory 304 may be partitioned or divided between records or data memory 226 and application memory 328 having an OBU server application 330 that is executed by the controller/processor 302. The controller/processor 302 may be a microprocessor with one or more cores, ARM processor with one or more cores, RISC processor, microcontroller, digital circuits implementing a statement machine, analog circuits implementing a state machine, or a combination of any of the above. The transceiver 308 may be a transmitter and receiver that is able to establish a network connection via the network interface 310 and receive location data from smart devices and provide the location of smart devices when queried. In other implementations, the transceiver 308 may be implemented as separate transmitter and receiver. In yet other implementations, a wireless network interface 332 may be present to enable wireless network communication. In yet another implementation, the wireless network interface 332 may enable direct wireless communication between the location server 112 and smart device 114.

Turning to FIG. 4, a graphical illustration of the RLN 118 of FIG. 1 in accordance with an example implementation is depicted. The RLN 118 may have a controller or processor 402 coupled to a memory 404, identification receiver 406, transceiver 408 coupled to a network interface 410, power module 412, display 414, input device 416 (i.e. keyboard, mouse, etc. . . . ), and data store 418 (hard disk storage) storing records 320 coupled together by data/address bus 422. The memory 404 may be partitioned or divided between records or data memory 424 and application memory 426 having an OBU RLN application 428 that is executed by the controller/processor 402. The controller/processor 402 may be a microprocessor with one or more cores, ARM processor with one or more cores, RISC processor, microcontroller, digital circuits implementing a statement machine, analog circuits implementing a state machine, or a combination of any of the above. The Transceiver 408 may be a transmitter and receiver that is able to establish a network connection via the network interface 410 and receive location data from smart devices and provide the location of smart devices when queried. In other implementations, the transceiver 408 may be implemented as separate transmitter and receiver. In yet other implementations, the network interface 410 may also be provide power (as shown by dashed connection 430) to power module 412 using power over Ethernet where both power and data share the same cable. In yet another implementation, the network interface 410 may include a wireless network interface or be replaced with a wireless network interface that enable wireless communication between the location server 112 and smart device 114. The display device 414 and input device 416 may not be present in some implementations of the RLN 118 and are shown as dashed boxes.

The identification receiver 406 receives a unique identification either from a smart device 120, badge, biometric data or other unique user indication or identifier. The RLN application 428 formats the received identifier and mimics a OBU message and sends the formatted message to the location server 112. An advantage of such approaches, is legacy devices may be able to work with the RLN 118. Yet another advantage is additional security may be implemented in different areas of the building and be integrated with the described OBU approach. The network interface 410 may wirelessly communication to smart devices and receive OBU messages from smart devices, such as smart device 102, and send the OBU messages to the location server 112. In other implementations, the RLN may be implemented to only receive and send OBU messages.

In other implementations, the RLN (i.e. 106 a-106 f, 118) may receive a wireless signal from an OBU that is not associated with an occupant of the building 103. That OBU may be classified as a guest by the location server 112. The guest OBU may have visited the building previously and information may have been associated with the OBU. This information may be accessed via the location server 112 or device coupled with the location server 112, such as a client device (not shown). The identification of a quest to the location service may activate locks, cameras, and/or other devices. If the guest is not allowed at the building, automated messages may be send to appropriate authorities. An example of such implementation is an office building requiring all guests to register prior to accessing offices or locations in the building. A guest would be identified entering the building via RLN 106 a The location server 112 would recognice the OBU as being associated with a guest who had previously entered a building. Upon recognition of the guest, a name tag may be generated and made available for priting by a receptionist if the guest is admitted. Enhanced efficiencies are achieved in processing guest using such an approach.

In FIG. 5, an illustration 500 of messages between the smart device 102 and location server 112 via the RLN 106 a of FIG. 1 in accordance with an example implementations is detected. The OBU application 220 that is executed on the smart device 102 generates a periodic location message 502 (i.e. 10 times a minute) that carries location data to the RLN 106 a. The RLN 106 a receives the location message 502 and associated location data from the smart device 102. The RLN 106 may then add additional location data to the location data received from the smart device 102. The additional location data may be building location, authentication data, or user information (if provided by the smart device 102. The location data and additional location data are formatted into a location server message 504 and sent to the location server 112. The location server message 504 may encrypt part of the data carried in the message. In other implementations the all data carried in the location server message 504. The encryption of the data may be desirable if the data is passing through the internet and the location server 112 is located in the cloud or external network. Examples of encryption may include AES encryption, symmetric cryptography approaches, and asymmetric cryptography approaches.

Turning to FIG. 6, an illustration of messages between smart device 102 via OBU application 220 and location server 112 in accordance with an example implementation of the invention is depicted. The smart device 102 generates location data via the GPS receiver 216 and the OBU application 220 formats the location data in a periodic location message 602 for receipt by the location server 112. The smart device 102 communicates directly with the location server 112 using a combination of wireless networking with wired networking.

In FIG. 7, an illustration of a flow diagram 700 of an approach for the smart device 102 to send location messages 502 to a location server in order to track the location of the smart device 102 in accordance with an example implementation of the invention is shown. The OBU application 220 gets location data from the GPS receiver 216 in step 702. The OBU application 220 formats a location message 502 with the location data from the GPS receiver 216 and unique data in step 704. The location data message 706 is then sent from the smart device 102 (under the direction of the OBU application 220) to the RLN 106 a in step 706. A time is set in step 708 to determine when the next location message is to be sent. When the timer 224 expires in step 710, a new location message is required and the generation of another location message occurs.

It will be understood, and is appreciated by persons skilled in the art, that one or more processes, sub-processes, or process steps described in connection with FIGS. 5-7 may be performed by hardware and/or software (machine readable instructions). If the approach is performed by software, the software may reside in software memory in a suitable electronic processing component or system such as one or more of the functional components or modules schematically depicted in the figures.

The software in software memory may include an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions (that is, “logic” that may be implemented either in digital form such as digital circuitry or source code or in analog form such as analog circuitry or an analog source such an analog electrical, sound or video signal), and may selectively be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that may selectively fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In the context of this disclosure, a “computer-readable medium” is any tangible means that may contain or store the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The tangible computer readable medium may selectively be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor system, apparatus or device. More specific examples, but nonetheless a non-exhaustive list, of tangible computer-readable media would include the following: a portable computer diskette (magnetic), a RANI (electronic), a read-only memory “ROM” (electronic), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) (electronic) and a portable compact disc read-only memory “CDROM” (optical). Note that the tangible computer-readable medium may even be paper (punch cards or punch tape) or another suitable medium upon which the instructions may be electronically captured, then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in a suitable manner if necessary, and stored in a computer memory.

The foregoing detailed description of one or more embodiments of the approach for tracking the location of an occupant in a building by tracking a smart device associated with the occupant. It will be recognized that there are advantages to certain individual features and functions described herein that may be obtained without incorporating other features and functions described herein. Moreover, it will be recognized that various alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements of the above-disclosed embodiments and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different embodiments, systems or applications. Presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the appended claims. Therefore, the spirit and scope of any appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A smart device with an on-board unit (OBU), comprising: a transmitter; a memory having unique data associated with the OBU; a location determination unit that generates location data associated with the smart device; a timer; a controller coupled to them memory and the transmitter that transmits a location message in response to a timer, where the location message contains location data and the unique data.
 2. The smart device of claim 1, where the location determination unit is a global positioning system receiver.
 3. The smart device of claim 1, where the location data is longitude and latitude coordinates.
 4. The smart device of claim 1, where the location data further includes elevation data.
 5. The smart device of claim 1, where the location message is at least partially encrypted.
 6. The smart device of claim 1 where the OBU is an application located in a memory of the smart device executed by the controller.
 7. The smart device of claim 1, where the location message is formatted for receipt by a location server.
 8. A remote location node, comprising: a receiver; a transmitter; a controller coupled to the receiver that is able to receive identification information from an identification device associated with a user and format a location message that appears to originate with the identification device that is transmitted by the transmitter for receipt by a location server.
 9. The remote location node of claim 8 where the identification information contains authentication information.
 10. The remote location node of claim 8 where the location message contains location data.
 11. The remote location node of claim 10, where the location message contains additional data.
 12. The remote location node of claim 11, where at least a portion of the additional information is encrypted.
 13. The remote location node of claim 8 where the identification data is a OBU formatted location message.
 14. A method for tracking an on-board unit (OBU) in a building, comprising the steps of: generating location data in a location determination unit in a smart device that also has unique data; setting a timer in response to a controller; formatting a location message containing the location data and unique data by a controller in the smart device in response to the timer; and transmitting the location message by a transmitter in response to the controller.
 15. The method for tracking of claim 14, where generating location data with the location determination unit further includes determining location data with a global positioning system receiver.
 16. The method for tracking of claim 14, where the location data is longitude and latitude coordinates.
 17. The method for tracking of claim 14, where the location data further includes elevation data.
 18. The method for tracking of claim 14, includes encrypting at least a portion of the location message by the controller where the location message is at least partially encrypted.
 19. The method for tracking of claim 14 includes executing an OBU application stored in memory of the smart device by the controller.
 20. The smart device of claim 14, includes formatting the location message for receipt by a location server. lease replace the informal figures filed at the PCT stage with the formal replacement figures enclosed herein. No new matter has been introduced. 